2015
1
Changes in Thirteenth Edition Playing Rules 2015
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes
USSSA 2015 RULE BOOK
OVERALL
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

Rule books to be printed on a two year cycle.
2015

References to “he” and “his” were replaced to
make rule book non gender specific.
2
RULE CHANGE
2.1 BATTING HELMET

USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

Batting helmet deliberately removed
2015

Penalty for subsequent violations
coach ejected; player restricted
Clarify penalties for coach and player.
3
RULE CHANGE
2.5 COACHES WRISTBANDS
Player Equipment
Coaches Wristbands (Play Indicator) are Legal
2015

USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

Explicitly states that wristbands to decode signals,
such as the type quarterbacks wear, are legal
4
RULE CHANGE
5.5.A-NOTE COURTESY RUNNER
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
If a courtesy runner is used in the first half
inning for the starting pitcher or catcher who
does not pitch or catch to start the first inning
then the player who was a courtesy runner is
considered a substitute.
2015

Clarify effect if courtesy runner used for player
who never pitches or catches.
5
RULE CHANGE
5.5.A-NOTE COURTESY RUNNER


USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

PLAY
On the home team line up card
Piper is listed in the 2nd batting position as the Pitcher.
Cory Ray is listed as an available substitute
In the top of the first inning, Piper gets on base and Cory
Ray comes in as a courtesy runner.
In the bottom of the first half inning, Piper does NOT pitch
or catch.
EFFECT
Cory Ray is considered a substitute not a courtesy runner.
She may reenter but only in the 2nd batting position.
She may NOT be used as a courtesy runner.
Piper left the game when Cory Ray replaced her on base.
Piper reentered when she took a defensive position.
She may NOT reenter again.
Piper may NOT pitch (5.5.A).
2015

6
RULE CHANGE
6-1-I TACKY OR STICKY SUBSTANCES
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
No tacky or sticky substances can be used as a
substitute for a powdered drying agent.
2015

Disallow substances that may deface the ball.
7
RULE CHANGE
11.2.Z RULE BOOK
2015
A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other
bench personnel shall not bring the rule book
(hard copy or electronically) onto the playing field
while the game is in progress to discuss/dispute
the umpire(s) ruling and/or decision.
 Penalty: The offender is ejected

USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

Explicitly state accepted ruling
8
RULE CHANGE
12.2 YOUTH PLAYER EJECTED
ADD Any youth player who is restricted or
ejected shall remain in the dugout/bench area.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

2015

Ensure that all youth players are properly
supervised at all times.
9
EDITORIAL CHANGE
2.8.C DUPLICATE NUMBERS
Clarifies that “00” and “0”, etc are not considered
duplicate numbers.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
0 and 00, 1 and 01 are examples of different
numbers.
2015

10
EDITORIAL CHANGE
2.6 PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT
Explicit statement of current interpretation.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
Any equipment deemed distracting or dangerous
by the Tournament Director or Umpire shall be
prohibited.
2015

11
EDITORIAL CHANGE
3 BATTER TIME AT BAT
Define completed time at bat.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
The batter has completed their time at bat when
they become a batter-runner or put out.
2015

12
EDITORIAL CHANGE
6.1.L WARM-UP PITCHES
Explicit statement of current interpretation.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD
A pitcher returning to pitch in the same halfinning shall not be allowed warm-up pitches.
2015

13
EDITORIAL CHANGE
8.13 OBSTRUCTED RUNNER

REWRITTEN for clarity.

Section was rearranged and rewritten to make
current rule and interpretation more
understandable.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes
When a runner is obstructed Section
2015

14
EDITORIAL CHANGE
8.13 OBSTRUCTED RUNNER
EFFECT: If the obstructed runner is put out prior to
reaching the base that would have been reached had
there not been obstruction,



a dead ball is declared
the Umpire shall award the obstructed runner, and each
other runner affected by the obstruction, the bases they
would have reached, in the Umpire’s judgment, had there
been no obstruction.
A. If the obstructed runner advances beyond the
base the runner would have reached, in the Umpire’s
judgment,


the delayed dead ball is terminated and
the runner advances with liability to be put out.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

When a runner is obstructed …, it shall be a
delayed dead-ball.
2015

15
EDITORIAL CHANGE
8.18.J APPEAL PLAY

ADD if properly appealed.
Rule was missing the statement that defense had
to appeal for the runner to be out.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

Runner out if left too soon on a caught fly ball or
missed base
2015

16
EDITORIAL CHANGE
8.18.N NOTE2: RUNNER HIT
Explicit statement of current interpretation.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

When a runner is hit with a fair batted ball after
it is touched or has passed an infielder, except
the pitcher, and the Umpire judges that another
infielder had no opportunity to make a play, the
runner is not out and the ball remains live.
2015

17
EDITORIAL CHANGE
14.12.R DELAYED DECISION

Rectify any situation in which an Umpire’s
decision that was delayed or reversed has placed
either team in jeopardy.
Explicit statement of current interpretation.
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes

ADD “delayed or” to reversed
2015

18
2015
19
Changes in Thirteenth Edition Playing Rules 2015
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Changes
USSSA 2015 RULE BOOK